BACKGROUND:
The Gag, as noted in “The Shadow of the Mouse,” is the “most basic unit of cartoon story structure” (Kaufman 68). A gag is premised on broad visual comedy and action. It’s often called a sight gag. In our story terminology, a gag contains an event — “something happens” — or more correctly, a sequence of events. But the humor of gag emerges from the logic of the joke. Like a joke, a gag does three things. It visually sets up an “expectation” of how something should play out. Then, instead of the expected outcome, something completely not expected, or unexpected, happens. This completely reverses the outcome of the situation. Three parts:
Expectation SET-UP.
Expectation defied through the UNEXPECTED EVENT.
Different or NEW OUTCOME.
Beginning. Middle. End. Now most of the time gags are quick visual jokes lasting mere seconds. They also traditionally play off audience’s expectations of what’s to come. But sometimes, a gag is more developed — with characters in the cartoons experiencing a type of reversal of fortunes. In either form, gags can be found all throughout the early animated “cartoons” of the Disney studios. And now you’re going to find one.
THE WORKSHEET INSTRUCTIONS
Rewatch one of the early animated films.
Find a gag with the three-part structure.
Take “screen shots” of the three parts of the gag.
Expectation Set-Up
The Unexpected Event
New Outcome.
Make and a google drive folder for this class and label it “THEA 80N – [Your last name here] .”
Follow this link to the digital worksheet (Links to an external site.). (You will need diagram.net (Links to an external site.))
Make a copy of Digital Worksheet and place it in your google drive class folder. Do not do the assignment on the original file.
Insert your screenshots into the provided boxes.
Here’s an example of a blank Worksheet 1 Download blank Worksheet 1.
Here’s an example of a completed Worksheet 1 Download completed Worksheet 1.
Make a pdf copy of your work.
Place your pdf in your google drive folder for this class.
Upload the pdf into the discussion forum on the next page using the google integration tools provided (See “tutorial” below)
Once you share you work, respond with encouragement to at least one other student’s work.
Write a review the tutorial on “How to upload your Worksheet into the Discussion forum” below and if you want to learn more about gag construction, check out the BONUS video below.
